Microkeratotome for the dissection of lamellae of corneal tissue

Abstract

A microkeratotome for the dissection of lamellae of corneal tissue includes a body ( 1 ) inside which a chassis ( 8 ) is housed where two motors ( 10 ) and ( 12 ) are installed which provide the oscillation of the corresponding cutting blade and the movement of the head ( 21 ) in which the cutting blade itself ( 20 ) is situated, all of which is combined with a suction ring ( 24 ) which immobilizes and imparts vacuum pressure to the eyeball through an orifice, the vacuum pressure being distributed simultaneously from the ring ( 24 ) through a peripheral channel situated in the same. The said ring is prevented from coming loose due to the maximum pressure reached in the eye when the unit is mounted upon it. It also includes an electronic control unit which has, according to the keratometry appropriate to the patient, several programmes which predefine cutting qualities.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A microkeratotome for the dissection of lamellae of corneal tissue, said microkeratotome comprising: 
       a suction ring configured for immobilizing an eyeball;  
       a sliding and anchoring part positioned adjacent to said suction ring;  
       a head comprising a cutting unit, said cutting unit comprising a cutting blade, said head positioned adjacent to said sliding and anchoring part;  
       a body connected to said head through an axle, said body comprising:  
       a mechanical transmission system comprising:  
       an oscillation motor for imparting oscillatory movement to said cutting blade; and  
       a linear motor for imparting linear movement to said sliding and anchoring part; and  
       a side cover detachably connected to said body, such that detachment of said side cover enables removal of said mechanical transmission system.  
     
     
       2. The microkeratotome of claim  1 , wherein said body further comprises an extractible chassis, said chassis comprising means for mounting and positioning said oscillation motor and said linear motor, wherein said chassis, together with said mechanical transmission system, can be removed from said body. 
     
     
       3. The microkeratotome of claim  1 , wherein said head further comprises a transparent plate positioned towards a frontal part of said head, wherein said plate is configured for flattening a cornea, is shaped so as to allow visual tracking of an operation, and comprises a rear edge, such that the separation between said rear edge and an edge of said cutting blade delimits a cutting thickness of said cornea. 
     
     
       4. The microkeratotome of claim  1 , further comprising an electronic control unit having a plurality of programs, wherein said programs control oscillation speeds of said cutting blade, and paths advancement speeds, and stopping points of said cutting unit. 
     
     
       5. The microkeratotome of claim  4 , wherein one or more of said programs is selected according to the needs of a patient's keratometry. 
     
     
       6. The microkeratotome of claim  1 , wherein said suction ring comprises a peripheral channel by means of which vacuum pressure can be distributed to said eyeball uniformly and perimetrically. 
     
     
       7. The microkeratotome of claim  6 , wherein said suction ring is held in place with respect to said eyeball by means of an increase in ocular pressure. 
     
     
       8. The microkeratotome of claim  6 , further comprising an electronic control unit having a plurality of programs, wherein said programs control oscillation speed of said cutting blade, and the path, advancement speed, and stopping point of said cutting unit. 
     
     
       9. The microkeratotome of claim  8 , further comprising a reset system which, in the event of a malfunction in said vacuum pressure, activates an alarm system thereby immobilizing said cutting unit, provides visual and acoustic indications of said malfunction, and disables said oscillation motor and said linear motor. 
     
     
       10. The microkeratotome of claim  9 , wherein said reset system is configured for resetting said electronic control unit, thereby enabling resumption of an operation once said vacuum pressure has been restored. 
     
     
       11. The microkeratotome of claim  1 , further comprising an electromechanical sensor which resets an impulse counter, said impulse counter controlling linear movement of said head when said head is in an initial position, allowing control of a closed loop.